In the last 24 hours, Panama registered a total of 1,276 new cases of COVID-19, raising the number of infections to 410,004, as reported by the Ministry of Health (Minsa).
According to the epidemiological report of this Tuesday, July 6, 7 new deaths have been reported, in the last 24 hours and one (1) from the previous date, which increased deaths from coronavirus to 6,591. The virus maintains a lethality of 1.6% in the country.
So far, 389,912 recovered cases have been counted and there are 13,501 active cases in the country.
To date, 14,903 tests have been applied, for a percentage of positivity of 8.5%.
Of the total number of active patients, 12,757 people are reported in home isolation, of which 12,411 are at home and 346 in hotels.
While the hospitalized number 744 and of them 620 are in the ward and 124 in the ICU.
##
NOTE: Some observers have argued that the Minsa reported case fatality rate (number of COVID linked deaths / number of known cases) in reality should be much lower, as the number of reported cases does not necessarily reflect the truth, as the testing does not cover the whole population, and many cases go undetected. At the same time, the government can't report what they don't know, but readers should note that the numbers may tell a different story from the reality.
Also, the method used in Panama to define how a 'COVID death' is counted is also unclear, as many of the deaths correspond to underlying previous conditions, such as cancer, blood diseases, other age related diseases etc., and are reported as COVID deaths since the patient also had the coronavirus. On the other hand, many viruses are known to lower the patient's immunity and expose them to other diseases. As an example most HIV/AIDS patients don't die from the virus itself, but from other derived diseases such as pneumonia or regular flu.
There have also been reports on the inaccuracy of the PCR test, which would compromise the figures mentioned above.
In lack of better information sources, PanaTimes continues to publish reports with the government (Minsa) announced figures. Readers are adviced to use their own judgement. We are happy to publish more accurate reports, if they become available to us or our contributors.
The information in this article is not intended to influence your decision whether to be vaccinated. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.